Greta Jimenez
Light pollution, the excess or inappropriate artificial light outdoors, is a growing problem worldwide. It has several adverse effects, including disrupting ecosystems, wasting energy, and causing potential harm to human health. Light pollution can be measured using the Bortle scale, which has nine levels, with Class 9 representing the most extreme light pollution. To determine the light pollution level in your area, you can use smartphone applications like Clear Outside by FLO, Light Pollution Map, and Stellarium, which utilise GPS data to indicate your location's light pollution level on the Bortle scale. These apps also offer additional features such as cloud cover information, temperature indicators, and notifications for astronomical events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Excess or inappropriate artificial light outdoors |
| Types | Glare, light trespass, and skyglow |
| Effects | Disrupts ecosystems, wastes energy, increases impacts of climate change, and can have adverse health effects in humans |
| Tools to Measure | Bortle Scale, Clear Outside smartphone app, Stellarium software, Light Pollution Map app, Dark Sky app, Dark Site Finder |
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What You'll Learn
Measuring light pollution
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It has harmful effects on various aspects of life, including astronomy, epidemiology, and ecology. To address this issue, it is crucial to measure the brightness of the night sky accurately. Here are some methods for measuring light pollution:
The Bortle Scale:
The Bortle Scale is a widely recognised method for measuring the brightness of the night sky in a particular location. It uses astronomical observations to determine the amount of light pollution. A Class 1 Bortle sky, for instance, allows for the naked-eye observation of the Triangulum Galaxy (M33). This scale can be used to assess the sky quality in your backyard or any other location. There are specialised tools, such as sky quality meters, that can be used in conjunction with the Bortle Scale to measure sky brightness accurately.
Light Pollution Maps:
Online light pollution maps provide a convenient way to estimate light pollution levels in any location. These maps use colours to represent the amount of artificial light in an area, with white to red indicating higher levels of artificial light in urban centres and green to blue representing lower levels in rural areas. By plotting a point on the map, you can obtain a Zenith sky brightness reading.
Smartphone Applications:
Several smartphone apps are available to help measure light pollution. For instance, the Dark Sky Meter app uses the iPhone camera to record the brightness of the night sky. Another app, Loss of the Night, guides users through the sky, allowing them to make measurements with their own eyes. Additionally, the Clear Outside app by FLO uses your GPS location to provide a readout of your night sky's position on the Bortle Scale.
Citizen Science Projects:
Citizen science initiatives, such as Globe at Night and Cities at Night, offer opportunities for individuals to contribute to light pollution measurement. These projects involve making observations through smartphones, tablets, or computers, and mapping and identifying photos of cities taken from the International Space Station. This data assists researchers in assessing light pollution globally.
SQM Devices:
Permanently connected SQM devices, such as the SQM-LU and SQM-LE, provide continuous sky glow monitoring. However, a standard format for recording measurements from these devices is still lacking, making it challenging to compare data from different locations and develop comprehensive databases.
While there are various methods for measuring light pollution, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of each tool and maintain thorough experimental reporting to avoid incorrect conclusions. Additionally, collaboration across disciplines is necessary to establish unified measurement techniques, units, and terminologies.
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Light pollution's impact on astronomy
Light pollution is the excess or inappropriate artificial light outdoors. It occurs in three ways: glare, light trespass, and skyglow. Glare is the bright and uncomfortable light that shines directly at an observer and interferes with their vision. Light trespass is the unintended spill of artificial light into another person's property or space and often becomes a source of conflict. Skyglow is the brightening of the night sky due to human-caused light scattered in the atmosphere.
Light pollution is increasing globally, in both developed and developing countries. Satellite data show that from 2012 to 2016, continuously lit areas brightened at a rate of 2.2% per year. The naturally dark area is shrinking too as Earth’s artificially lit outdoor area grew by 2.2% per year. Recent citizen scientists’ measurements indicate that the average night sky got brighter by 9.6% per year from 2011 to 2022, causing the stars and planets to become impossible to see due to reduced contrast.
Light pollution has a significant impact on astronomy. Astronomers have known for years that light pollution is detrimental to stargazing, as it washes out the stars, causing the sky itself to glow. More than 80% of humanity is affected by light pollution, and our view of the night sky is being stolen away. For instance, the combined radiance of 100 billion stars in the Milky Way is dimmed to near nothingness by bright streetlamps and storefronts.
The Bortle scale is a way of measuring the quality (brightness) of the night sky for a particular location. There are nine levels to the Bortle scale, with Class 9 being the most extreme amount of light pollution. For example, a Class 1 Bortle sky means that one can observe M33 (Triangulum Galaxy) with the naked eye. Specialized tools, such as a sky quality meter, are available to measure sky brightness from a localized area. Additionally, smartphone apps like Clear Outside by FLO can help individuals determine their current Bortle scale class.
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Light pollution's ecological effects
Light pollution is a phenomenon of anthropogenic origin associated with urbanization and human activities, which involves artificial light. It refers to artificial light that degrades the quality of the night sky, masks the light of stars and other celestial bodies, and affects wildlife and ecosystems. The following are some of the ecological effects of light pollution:
Altered Behaviour and Physiological Functions
Light pollution can modify the behaviour, physiological functions, and biological rhythms of living beings. It can affect orientation, locomotor activity, eating habits, reproductive behaviour, and communication between individuals. For example, it can impact the breeding success of certain species, such as frogs, by altering their nest hiding behaviour and calling patterns. It can also affect the reproductive behaviour of bioluminescent species, such as fireflies and glow worms, by reducing the visibility of their light signals.
Imbalances in Ecosystems
Light pollution can cause imbalances in ecosystems by modifying intra- and inter-species competitions, prey-predator balances, and the organization of species communities. It creates a new ecological niche with strong illumination, attracting some nocturnal species while repelling others. This can lead to interspecific competition for food, as seen in the example of fast-flying and slow-flying bats near streetlights.
Impact on Insect Populations
Insect populations are particularly affected by light pollution, as they are drawn to artificial lights, which can result in their instant death upon contact. This has a negative impact on species that rely on insects for food or pollination, disrupting food webs and ecosystems. A study has suggested that insect biodiversity loss due to artificial light can be mitigated with better-informed lighting practices.
Disruption of Natural Cycles
Light pollution disrupts the natural day/night cycle and seasonal variations that all life on Earth has relied on for billions of years. It can alter the sleep-wake patterns and circadian rhythms of both humans and animals, affecting physiological processes such as the production of the hormone melatonin. This can lead to various health issues, including sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and potentially, an increased risk of cancer.
Migration and Habitat Formation
Light pollution can confuse migratory species, causing them to lose their way and often leading to their death. It can also impact habitat formation, as certain animals may be attracted to or repelled by artificial light sources, resulting in habitat loss or alteration.
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Light pollution and human health
Light pollution, defined as the excess or inappropriate artificial light outdoors, has been on the rise in recent years, with continuously lit areas brightening at a rate of 2.2% per year from 2012 to 2016. This phenomenon is not limited to developed countries, as it is also increasing in developing nations. While light pollution has been known to harm wildlife, it also has adverse effects on human health.
One of the main ways light pollution affects humans is by disrupting our sleep. Artificial light at night, especially the blue light emitted by LED lamps, has been linked to reduced sleep times, dissatisfaction with sleep quality, excessive sleepiness, and impaired daytime functioning. This disruption of our circadian rhythms can have far-reaching consequences for overall health and well-being.
Light pollution has also been associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer, particularly breast cancer. Research has shown a correlation between exposure to indoor artificial nighttime light and breast cancer cases. Additionally, night shift work, which involves prolonged exposure to artificial light at night, has been classified as a probable human carcinogen, with a potential link to colorectal cancer.
Furthermore, light pollution can lead to glare, which is uncomfortable and can decrease visual acuity, creating safety concerns and even road hazards. The intense, blue-rich LED lighting can be particularly harmful in this regard.
While the specific mechanisms behind the link between light pollution and health issues are still being studied, it is clear that artificial light at night can negatively impact human health. The disparities in light exposure between different socioeconomic groups further complicate this issue, with disadvantaged communities often experiencing higher levels of light pollution. Addressing light pollution through local legislation and smart lighting initiatives can help mitigate these negative effects and protect human health.
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Reducing light pollution
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It has harmful effects on streetlights, greenhouses, satellites, wildlife habitats, and our quality of life.
Use LEDs and compact fluorescents (CFLs): LEDs and CFLs can help reduce energy use and protect the environment. However, only warm-coloured bulbs should be used as LED outdoor lighting often emits a blue light which creates more light pollution.
Use dimmers, motion sensors, and timers: These can help reduce average illumination levels and save energy. Motion-sensitive street lighting is a great way to reduce light pollution as lights only come on when people or moving objects approach.
Use shielded light fixtures: Outdoor lighting fixtures that shield the light source can minimize glare and light trespass, helping to prevent light pollution.
Use smart lighting systems: Smart lighting systems can automatically adjust the brightness and turn lights on and off based on the time of day/night or surrounding brightness levels, reducing unnecessary light exposure in low-traffic areas.
Support local legislation: When citizens band together to enact local legislation, light pollution advocacy can make great strides. You can also encourage your neighbours to reduce their light pollution, especially to reduce glare and light trespass into your domain.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a light pollution map, such as the ones offered by the Light Pollution Map app or the Clear Outside app by FLO. These maps use your location to present you with a readout of the light pollution level in your area.
The Bortle Scale is a way to measure the brightness of the night sky for a particular location. There are nine levels, with Class 9 being the most extreme amount of light pollution.
VIIRS radiance tells us how much light energy is coming from a given area of Earth, in a specific direction, as seen from space. It measures the light emitted by sources like streetlights, and accounts for factors such as energy level, area, and direction.
Light pollution can limit your ability to see celestial objects in the night sky, such as the Milky Way, nebulae, and galaxies. It can also impact astrophotography by increasing noise on CCD images.
You can reduce light pollution by using shielded or downward-facing lighting fixtures, which direct light downwards to illuminate only the intended area. You can also support local initiatives to reduce light pollution, such as by advocating for the use of energy-efficient LED lights, which emit less light pollution.
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